MISSISSAUGA, Ont. Justin Williams Kings Jersey . -- Hes the CFLs top pass defender and one of its most honest. Unlike many players who say theyre unaware of their own stats, Toronto Argonauts cornerback Pat Watkins not only knows he has a CFL-high five interceptions, but readily admits he wants to end the season as its No. 1 ballhawk. "Yeah, I found out Im leading the league in interceptions," Watkins said following practice Tuesday. "Thats something Im going to continue to strive for and try to lead the league as well as set a personal best as far as the CFL goes." Watkins, 30, is also aware of how many more interceptions he needs to make 2013 a career campaign. "Last year I had five," Watkins said. "Its easy when you only have five . . . I can count that on one hand. "Its one of those things that no matter what happens whether its good or bad, positive or negative Im going to continue to strive to be the best I can be personally as an athlete, football player and a coachs player." The six-foot-five, 205-pound Watkins has been very good since joining the Argos last season. A CFL all-star in 2012, Watkins five picks left him tied with safety Jordan Younger -- who retired prior to this season -- for most on the team and just one behind league-leader Joe Burnett of the Edmonton Eskimos. Watkins had four interceptions in the NFL with Dallas (2006-09) and San Diego (2010) before coming to Toronto. He also added 67 tackles and two fumble recoveries last year and through 13 games has 30 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Watkins was a one-man show Sunday, registering two tackles, two interceptions, a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery as Toronto rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat Edmonton 34-22. With that, the Argos (9-4, first in East Division) became the first CFL team ever to win all four games of a four-game road trip. "I still havent watched the defensive film but it was impressive enough watching on the sidelines to know Pat was the player of the game," Argos head coach Scott Milanovich said. "Pats our leader in the secondary now and we need him to make those plays. "Hes one of our defensive captains and I think hes kind of feeling like he needs to be accountable for whats going on back there." Watkins watched Torontos 35-22 win over Calgary in the 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre last November because of a foot injury. With eight starters from that defence having moved on, the Argos are counting heavily on Watkins and linebackers Robert McCune and Marcus Ball to lead this years young unit. "He has grown as a leader," Milanovich said of Watkins. "I think those three guys (Watkins, Ball and McCune) in particular have and (former B.C. defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell) has done a great job as well. "When the opportunity presents itself guys will step up and I think thats what has happened. It took a little while but I think theyre going in the right direction." Watkins certainly is with three interceptions in Torontos last two games. But defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones said Watkins versatility gives him plenty of options in drawing up the weekly gameplan. "He does a great job in our scheme, he does what we ask him to do," Jones said. "We play a lot of zone coverage, we put him in different matchups where hes having to defend in the slot and at corner." Watkins has the size and speed to excel in one-on-one coverage on the outside at cornerback. But the former Florida State star also has the athleticism to defend against slotbacks who have the advantage of a running start at the snap of the ball. "A lot of guys Ive had in the past didnt have the ability to get out on the slot, its something thats learned," Jones said. "When you can cover that motion and do go back to being a stationary guy (at cornerback), its a little simpler." When a cornerback is dominant in both pass and run defence, has the versatility to effectively cover any receiver and continually makes big plays, hes often dubbed a "shutdown corner." But its not a title Watkins readily wants or is chasing. "I dont try to put that pressure on myself," he said. "I just try to compete to the best of my ability, play within the scheme of the defence and do what the coaches ask me. "I cant say Im a shutdown corner. Im just going to play the best I can and continue to improve." It seems opposing quarterbacks have noticed as Watkins says he hasnt seen as many passes this year as he did in 2012. But that hasnt forced him to change his mindset when he steps on to the football field. "In the back of my mind I feel every ball is coming my way," he said. "So I have to be prepared and act like all the balls are coming my way." Watkins said he isnt playing with a chip on his shoulder or the feeling he has something to prove because he didnt suit up in last years Grey Cup. Hes more than content with his contribution to helping Toronto earn its first CFL title since 04. "We won and thats what a team does, a team isnt about one player," he said. "Its a gratifying feeling to know even with me down the team continued to play on and we won. "I cant hold my head about that, I did the best I could to get us there and the team finished it off. I was on the sidelines cheering because I knew we were going to party afterwards and I didnt want to miss it." NOTES -- Argos quarterback Ricky Ray practised Tuesday and looked good throwing the football. Milanovich said Ray continues to recover from a shoulder injury but couldnt provide an update as to when he might resume playing. Receiver Chad Owens (ribs) also practised and Milanovich said the CFLs 2012 outstanding player is a "maybe" for Friday nights home game against Hamilton. Dustin Brown Kings Jersey . The IceHogs scored three unanswered goals, capped by Jeremy Morins third-period goal, to beat the Marlies 3-2 in American Hockey League play Wednesday. Justin Williams . Despite the advantage of four Fijians being sent to the sin-bin in eight minutes early in the first half, Italy almost spoiled the occasion for two of their rugby greats by blowing a 30-10 lead with 20 minutes to go. Canadas Denny Morrison has won silver in the mens 1,000-metre speed skating race. Morrison, of Fort St. John, B.C., finished just 4/100ths of a second behind the winner, Stefan Groothuis of the Netherlands, with a time of one minute, 08.43 seconds. The silver is Morrisons first individual Olympic medal, and Canadas first long track speed skating medal in Sochi. Morrison was not initially on the roster for the race, after falling during the Canadian Olympic team trials. Teammate Gilmore Junio announced yesterday that he was giving up his spot in the event to enable Morrison to compete, saying, "how Denny is skating now, I believe its in the best interest of the team if he races." Groothuis stopped the clock at 1:08.39. Michel Mulder of the Netherlands finished third, in 1:08.74, two days after winning the mens 500-metre gold meedal. Drew Doughty. "Its unbelievable," said Groothuis. "When I started, I didnt even know what the best time was and when I crossed the finish line, I was really surprised. It was the best time Ive ever skated on a low-altitude track." American Shani Davis hoped to win a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the discipline, having won in Turin in 2006 and in Vancouver in 2010. But the defending Olympic champion dropped off in the second lap, finishing in eighth with a time of 1:09.12. The first Canadian to race, Vincent De Haître, set a time of 1:10.04 in his first Olympic event, finishing 20th. William Dutton, a 1000m specialist skating for Canada, had a strong start but dropped back on the second lap to finish in 1:10.61, 26th. Canadian Muncef Ouardi set a time of 1:1107, good enough for 32nd. cheap jerseys from chinacheap jerseys ' ' '
